Why I'm Proud To Be A Diabetic

[Ellie Jones]

Unless you make people sit up and take note then nothing will ever change that's for sure..

What's the point in spending money on education and/or equipment if a high majority are going to ignore it?

So how do you get people to take note, you tell them the truth and that is, you can avoid and/or limited the impact of complications it's your choice... Then they will demand the education etc required knowing they have a choice in it but when given they will utilise it to their best advantage and not squander it as often happens now...

One of the reasons behind T2's not getting test strips, is because when they were standard issue they were squandered in various ways, so they didn't seem cost effective.. Now every T2 diabetic who goes out their way to extract this resource from their GP, will ensure they use them to their best advantage, going back to their doctors not only showing but telling how they achieved..

Over time the more that this happens the lightbulb will switch on, that yep it's a good investment if you can get the diabetic to utilise them to their advantage then they start going down the road of providing easier access to the educations and support to make it work..

So we have to install the seed not only in the minds of the HCP but also the diabetic, and it's probably more important get the diabetic to take the responsibility for their own out come than it's is the HCP's...

Wonder how many diabetics read that article, and got the kick at the backside they needed?

 

[margie]

Its easy to criticise patients and its just as easy to criticise HCPs.

The problem is that if you as a patient are trying your hardest and not getting any help or the help is inadequate being told that it is all down to you is not helpful.

I have come across people who through no fault of their own have had trouble controlling their blood sugars and it was only when a previously undisagnosed medical condtion was tested for as a last resort that they were able to regain control. I am not saying this is the norm but it does happen.

I have also come across HCPs who have asked me if I was a Dr because I understood what they had said to me. It also implies that they often find that they are not being understood, communication is key and it has to be tailored to the person you are speaking to and has to take into consideration what they can and cannot understand.

 

[AJLang]

My bad control was caused by the gastroparesis............but it took ages for this to be diagnosed.............and in turn gastroparesis, even when diagnosed, makes control very difficult. My consultant thinks that I am doing the best that a diabetic with gastroparesis can do because I'm getting HBA1Cs of 7.5 (he has never seen anyone with gastroparesis with a HBA1C that low) but it takes a lot of work and even then BGs are regularly fluctuating from 2.5 to 23 through no fault of my own because I can't tell when my stomach will digest the food. It's impossible to carb count for most of my meals because of the erratic digestion process. In turn the long time for the diagnosis is probably part of the reason why I have maculopathy in one of my eyes. And I work hard at looking after my diabetes with up to 10 blood tests a day and several injections. This article really did annoy me!